Kite with detachable parachute



March 4, 1969 E. N. ZOPF KITE WITH DETACHABLE PARACHUTE 3w 2 6 a T O z N z M. w

United States Patent 3,430,899 KITE WITH DETACHABLE PARACHUTE Edward N. Zopf, East Wenatchee, Wash. 98801 Filed Dec. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 601,684 US. Cl. 244-153 1 Claim Int. Cl. B64c 31/06; A63h 27/08 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A kite having a detachable parachute secured thereto by a spring clip tethered to one end of a line extending to the ground adjacent the kite main line whereby a simple pull upon the first line will cause the spring clip to disengage with the parachute and allow the same to fall free from the kite toward the ground.

This invention relates generally to flying kites. More specifically it relates to kites having releasable attachments secured thereto.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a kite having a detachable parachutist which may be controlled from the ground when the kite is aloft so as to selectively release the parachutist from the kite so to allow the parachutist to glide toward the ground.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a kite with a detachable parachutist wherein the parachutist is controlled by a separate line extending from the kite to the ground.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a kite with a detachable parachutist wherein the parachutist is retained by spring means to the kite.

Yet another object is to provide a kite with a detachable parachutist wherein the parachutist is spring loaded so as to be discharged from the kite upon release therefrom.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a kite with a detachable parachutist wherein the parachutist may be made in the configuration of the popular Batman doll, which is provided with bat-like wings so as to permit the parachutist to glide upon the wind toward the earth.

Other objects are to provide a kite with detachable parachutist which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the present invention showing the kite in flight and the parachutists having been released therefrom;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view thereof shown prior to detachment of the parachutist from the kite and FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 showing the parachutist secured to the kite.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral represents a kite with detachable parachutist acording to the present invention wherein there is a kite 11 and a parachutist 12.

The kite is comprised of a frame 13 formed from a pair of wooden or plastic rods 14 and 15, one of Whi h is relatively shorter than the other, and which are secured together in cruciform configuration as shown in FIGURE I 1 of the drawing. A panel 16 formed from paper or lightweight plastic is secured to one side of the frame to form an airfoil to be borne upon the wind.

A main line 17 is secured in a conventional manner to the corners of the kite 11, the main line 17 being of relatively great length so to extend to the ground where it may be manually held while the kite is in flight.

The parachutist 12 is comprised of a figure 18, which in the present case is shown to represent a popular Batman and which includes a body 19 and a pair of wings 20 so that it may glide upon the air. The body 19 is provided with a slot 21 extending therethrough and into which there is received a spring 22 that extends through the body of the kite 11 and is tethered to a line 23 that extends parallel to the main line 17 to the ground where it may be manually controlled. A plurality of loops 24 are secured to the main line 17 and provide guide means for the line .23 to extend therethrough. It is to be noted that the spring '22 is comprised of a generally U-shaped spring member having a pair of legs 25 that normally are urged to be spread apart and thereby bear against the opposite sides of the slot 21 to normally retain the parachutist 12 in connection with the kite 11. A tension coil spring 26 is secured at one end to an eyescrew 27 attached to the frame 13 of the kite, the opposite end of the spring 26 being secured to the line 23 at a point relatively close to the spring 22. A pair of recesses 28 are formed upon the rear side of the parachutist and a compression coil spring 29 secured to the parachutist is retained in compressed condition within the recess 28 when the parachutist is in secured condition to the kite 11.

In operative use the parachutist is secured to the kite by means of the spring 22 being fitted into the slot 21 thereby retaining the parachutist to the kite. After the kite has been sent aloft and it is desired to loose the parachutist, the operator then tugs upon the line 23 against the action of the spring 26 and causes the spring 22 to be withdrawn from the slot 21. Thus the parachutist is freed from the kite and the compressed coil springs 29 then urge the parachutist to be pushed away from the body of the kite. The parachutist thus separated then starts to glide toward the earth.

I claim: v

1. In a kite with detachable parachute, the combination of a kite and a parachute, control means for tethering said kite to the ground when said kite is in flight, means for detachably attaching said parachute to said kite, said kite being comprised of a frame and a panel secured to one side of said frame, said frame being comprised of a pair of rods, one of said rods being longer than the other of said rods, said rods beingsecured together in cruciform arrangement, said panel formed from paper or lightweight plastic and said kite being tethered to said ground by a main line secured to the corners of said kite, said kite having a plurality of spaced apart loops secured along said main line so to provide guide means for said control means for releasing said parachute from said kite, said parachute being comprised of a winged figure, said figure including a body and a pair of bat-like wings, said wings providing a means for gliding of said parachute through the air after being released from said kite, said means for retaining said parachute to said kite comprising an opening through said body of said parachute, an opening through said panel of said kite, and an opening through one of said rods of said kite frame, said openings being aligned respective to each other and receiving a U-shaped spring extending therethrough, said U-shaped spring having a pair of legs, said legs normally urged to spread apart, said U-shaped spring being connected to one end of a trip line, said trip line extending through said guides of said main line to the ground for manual control, and a tension coil spring secured at one end to said frame, said tension coil spring being secured at its opposite end to said trip line and said trip line being normally urged against said tension spring when pulling said U-shaped spring out of said slot of said parachute.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 800,927 10/1905 Mahony 244-155 X 1,735,309 11/1929 Albrecht 244155 1,787,479 1/1931 Jacobi 244155 2,480,948 9/ 1949 Moon 244-155 2,669,403 2/1954- MCKay 244--155 2,822,998 2/ 1958 Toth 244155 FOREIGN I PATENTS 608,000 9/ 1948 Great Britain.

MILTON BUOHLER, Primary Examiner.

PAUL E. SAUBERER, Assistant Examiner. 

